Western Cape, South Africa. Hundreds of feet under the Swartberg foothills near the town of Oudtshoorn lie the magnificent limestone Cango Caves. Although explorer, and the Caves first guide, Johnny van Wassenaer claimed to have made his way 25kms before reaching the end, no one is really sure how long the cave system really is. At the moment, there are over 4 kms that we know of, and only a quarter of this is open to the public.

Huge caverns, tight tunnels, underground rivers and magnificent stalactites and stalagmites make this an other-worldly place to explore. Cave paintings and skeletons show that the caves have been used by humans and animals since the stone age. The caves were rediscovered in 1780 by Jacobus Van Zy, a local farmer. They are now protected and administered by the local municipality of Oudtshoorn and visitors can only explore them in guided groups. There are 2 different tours: the Heritage Tour and the Adventure Tour. If you’re an adventurer at heart then you need to be fit, slim and definitely not claustrophobic to do the Adventure Tour.

The names of some of the caverns and underground paths, such as Organ pipes, Cleopatra’s Needle, the Frozen Waterfall, Curtains, Rainbow Chamber, Bridal Chamber, Fairyland, and the Drum Room, are both evocative and enticing.

The caves are a steady 20oC and the Heritage Tour is a comfortable walk. The rare and beautiful splendour of these caves make for an underground journey you will never forget.